Uppercut

by Terra Kelly

  “I still haven’t taken up drinking. Maybe I need to, though.”

  She touched one finger to her nose and pointed her index finger at me. As the door closed, I sank my body down in the scalding hot water.

  It was almost four months ago that my dad and I were talking about Julian Moore. Now here I was going on a date with him. Weird much?

  As I laid my head back against the edge of the tub, I thought about my luck with men. The last time I’d dated was two years ago. Men were a distraction my dad would tell me. Especially the men I dated. None of the men were fighters and usually found it intimidating that I could kick their ass.

  After my last date, I pretty much swore off men and decided to put all my attention toward working on winning my first title. So much for that plan.

  To be fair, this was the first time a fighter had ever asked me on a date.

  Maybe it was time to turn over a new leaf…and I really needed to think about drinking wine.

  “Why am I getting a pedicure?” My feet were propped up on a stool while a woman was rubbing a pumice stone over my heels.

  “What if,” Charlie said, leaning closer to me, “you both do end up fucking like bunnies?”

  “Again with the bunnies and the fucking.”

  “You never know,” she teased. “It is a great way to let out pent-up energy.”

  I shook my head. “Can I get to know him first? Then the bunnies can intervene later.”

  “Oh, they will.”

  Some days I wondered how Charlie and I were friends. Most days I knew why. I loved how she always found a way to make me laugh.

  Charlie grabbed her green goddess–fresh-squeezed juice–and took a sip. “Did Julian seriously help you during training today?”

  “Yup.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t think Devon really cared about being pushed to the side.”

  “You think?”

  “Devon’s not really a fan of me. Well that’s the impression I get.”

  “Maybe training with you today sparked something for Julian.”

  “Sparked? We’ll see about that. I’m waiting to see if Julian will cancel.”

  Charlie slapped my thigh. “Oh stop. I bet he’s excited to go out with you.”

  “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

  We ended up spending way too much time making my feet pretty and not enough time planning for what to wear. When we walked into the house, I threw my purse on the overstuffed chair by the door and walked straight to my bedroom. From the few details shared, I knew if I wore a nice pair of jeans and dressy top, that would be enough. I stepped into my closet and started riffling through my pile of jeans. Was there an AA group for my shopping addiction? Charlie and I loved online shopping. We would try to race to find the best pair of jeans or who had the lowest discounts. Thank goodness for walk-in closets.

  I heard my phone vibrate on my dresser. When I reached for it, a part of me knew it was Julian canceling. I looked down at my screen and burst out laughing. He seriously canceled with a text. What an asshat. I threw my phone on the bed and walked across the hall to Charlie’s room.

  “Guess what?” I said, plopping down on her bed.

  She was sitting at her desk on the computer. “What?” she asked, turning to face me.

  “Julian just canceled.” I waited to tell her how he had done the deed.

  “What?”

  “Better yet. He sent me a text.”

  She stood up and walked over to the bed. “Wait, did you just tell me he canceled your date via text message?”

  “Yup, I did.”

  She didn’t say a word, just stormed out of the room and walked to the kitchen. When I caught up with her, she was on the phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Hold on.”

  I tried to grab for her phone. “No, stop. What are you doing, Charlie?”

  “Brooks,” she said, waving her hand at me to stop. “Yeah, where’s your brother?” I couldn’t hear what he was saying, so I had to decipher the conversation through her words. “Really? Interesting.” Her face was actually turning a very dark shade of red. “Nope, all good. Just tell your brother he’s an asshole.” Then she hung up.

  “So,” I said, leaning against the kitchen island.

  “He’s in the office working,” Charlie said, reaching for a wine bottle. “Apparently he’s been there all day. I bet he’s hiding out.”

  I was struggling to process this bit of information. Why would a man ask a woman out and then bail two hours before he would be set to arrive? Nope, not cool. “I need to go.” I turned on my heel and headed into the living room to grab my purse.

  “Wait”

  “No, Charlie. This is bullshit. He made a big deal about asking me out and then made me feel uncomfortable all week.” I threw my purse over my shoulder and headed for the door.

  “Lily, wait.”

  “Why? He needs to know what a dick move this is.”

  “Lils, look down.”

  I stopped with my hand on the door handle and burst out laughing. “Maybe I better put on pants first.”

  “It might help.”

  9

  “Hey, Lily,” Brooks said, settling in beside me. “You okay?”

  “Charlie called you?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  “So, you know trying to stop me is a bad idea, right?” I said, continuing to make my way toward the office.

  “Well, I mean.”

  I stopped and he barreled into me. I placed my hand on his chest to lightly push him away. “Listen, I’m pissed. He needs to know that.”

  He threw his hands up in the air. “Far be it from me to stand in between a woman pissed off and a man who’s going to endure the wrath.”

  I patted my hand on his chest. “Good job. Now if you will excuse me, I need to see a man about a canceled date.”

  There was a little part of me that was screaming to turn around and go back home, but my dad didn’t raise a quitter. When I had my mind set, I usually followed through.

  Through the shades on the office windows, I could see Julian sitting at his desk with his head bent. I took in a deep breath and made my way over to the door. As my hand hit the handle, I could feel his eyes on me. I glanced up and stood there motionless. He had this look that was hard to place. Did he feel bad? Or was he really the asshole I wanted to create in my mind?

  He stood up and walked to the door. I stepped back so he could open it and let me inside. “Got a sec?”

  I heard the sliding again. He was closing the shades. Before I could say anything, he blurted out, “Lily, I’m sorry.”

  “Nope,” I said, sounding a little too pissed off. “You don’t get to just all of a sudden apologize.” I leaned against his desk and crossed my arms over my chest.

  He stepped in front of me. “Yeah, so what is okay?”

  His scent was throwing me off. Dammit.

  “You cancel. Yet, you’re here. Care to share the real reason you bailed on the date you planned?”

  “I’m busy.”

  I rolled my eyes and pushed off the desk to leave. I realized it was a bad idea coming here.

  He wrapped his hand around my bicep. “No, wait.”

  “Why?”

  “Because.”

  I burst out laughing. “Julian, you do know because is not an answer, right?”

  He pulled me closer to his body. “I do. I also know asking you on a date was not appropriate.”

  “Who says?”

  “Everyone.” He waved his arm toward the gym.

  “Really?”

  There were moments in my life where I did things completely outrageous and sometimes regretted them later. I knew I was going to regret this later as my feet made their way toward the door.

  “Where are you going?” Julian asked from directly behind me. I could feel his breath on my shoulder.

  I didn’t respond. Instead, I walked over to the front desk. “Hey, Andy, can I see the microphone?”
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  “Lily, stop.” Julian tried to reach for the microphone, but I managed to keep it out of his reach.

  I cleared my throat so I could speak clearly into the mic. “Hey, everyone, Lily here. If anyone objects to Julian and I going on a date, can you come to the front desk.”

  Andy had stopped the music playing over the sound system so I could ask my question. The moment the words fell from my lips, the room went silent. Nobody moved.

  I turned to face Julian. “So, why did you really cancel?”

  “Are you always this direct?”

  “To get the truth and not bullshit? Yup.”

  He dropped his arms, and I could see a smile emerging. Before he had the chance to say anything, everyone in the gym started chanting “Go, go, go.”

  “Looks like they are cool with us going out.” I threw my purse over my shoulder and started heading toward the front entrance. Before I left, I turned and threw everyone an air kiss. I only managed to take two steps out of the building when my body was pushed up against the cement wall. Julian had his arms on either side of my head blocking me in. “Change your mind?”

  “Lily, you drive me crazy,” he said in a husky voice that made my insides squirm.

  “A good crazy, I hope.”

  He closed his eyes and shook his head. “This is all wrong you know that, right?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  Before he said another word, he surprised me by leaning forward and capturing my lips with his own. My body was not ready for the invasion. I was still unsure what had come over me. If this was really what I wanted. I knew I needed to find the connection between him and my father. Then he brushed his tongue across my bottom lip, begging to enter. All the worry disappeared, and in its place was desire. His tongue touched mine, causing a little moan to escape from deep inside me.

  Against my lips, he whispered, “Can I take you out on a date, Lily Waters?”

  My forehead rested on his, and I tried to stifle a laugh. “Julian, you are one confusing man.”

  “Yeah, Brooks and Tyler tell me that all the time.” He leaned forward and lightly kissed me. “So, what do you say?”

  “I say, on one condition.”

  He leaned back slightly. “I’m listening.”

  “I drive so you can’t bail.”

  He brushed the back of his hand down the side of my face. “Those terms seem fair.”

  I ducked below his arm and pointed toward my car. “Your chauffeur awaits.”

  As I opened my car door, my phone rang. I sank down in my seat and hit accept. “Hi, this is Lily.”

  “Hi, Ms. Waters. This is Angela from AFC. Do you have a moment?”

  I turned to toward Julian and pointed at my phone while mouthing the words AFC. His eyes looked like saucers they went so wide. “Um, yes, how are you doing?”

  “I’m well. Thank you for asking. I’m sorry it took me a little longer to get back in touch with you.”

  “Oh, it’s okay. It gave me time to get settled here in Las Vegas.”

  “Did you find a gym yet?”

  “I did. Have you heard of Fight It Out?”

  “Isn’t that Julian Moore’s gym?”

  “The very one.”

  “That’s wonderful. Would you like to set up a time to talk with me further about some opportunities with AFC?”

  “That would be great. When did you have in mind?”

  “Would you be available next Wednesday at ten a.m.?”

  “That should be good. I think it’ll be okay with my manager,” I said, winking at Julian. “I’ll check with him.” Julian was next to me, nodding his head so fast.

  “Perfect. We look forward to meeting you, Ms. Waters.”

  “Thank you for the opportunity.”

  I hit end and started screaming like a school girl. When I realized what I had done, I threw my hand over my mouth and gave a side glance in Julian’s direction. He had the biggest grin on his face.

  “What?” I pushed at his arm.

  “Nothing. You’re cute when you get excited.”

  “I’m cute?” I teased.

  “Sexy?”

  “Much better.”

  He surprised me by wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and tugging me closer to him. Right before he planted a kiss on my lips, he stopped. “You’re more than sexy, Ms. Waters. You make me hard just at the thought of your name.”

  I let my body relax in his hold. “I guess you’re okay with what everyone will think at the gym, huh?” Reaching my hand up, I cupped the side of his face. “It’s Lily by the way.”

  “You don’t like, Ms. Waters?” he whispered.

  Avoiding the conversation about my name, I cleared the distance and took what I’d been wanting for weeks. His lips tasted of lemon and a hint of mint. I moaned and brought his face closer to mine, wanting more.

  “That’s a no I presume?” he chuckled in between my needy demands.

  “Just Lily is fine by me.” Then I brushed my tongue across his bottom lip. “Julian?”

  “Yeah, just Lily?”

  The silly name took me by surprise, and I burst out laughing. “You didn’t.”

  “What?” He shrugged his shoulders. “You said, and I repeat, ‘just Lily is fine by me.’”

  My car was not big enough to crawl over the console—but if it was—I wanted him closer to my body. “Shut up.” I tugged at the collar of his shirt, demanding his lips again.

  In between my attacks on his lips, he managed to ask, “I thought you were taking me to dinner?”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize on my account.”

  Clearing my throat. I leaned back, threw the keys into the ignition, and put the car into drive. “Okay, what are we having?” Before I pulled out of the parking space, I glanced over to find Julian staring at me. “What?”

  “I don’t know if I will be able to keep my hands off of you tonight. You kinda initiated the launch sequence.”

  At first I was unsure what he was talking about. Then I let my eyes wander down and saw the bulge in his pants. My heart rate increased, and I quickly glanced away. I rested my head back and closed my eyes for just a second. What was I doing? I had never tried to hump a man so quickly after meeting him. What was it about Julian fucking Moore that had me wanting to ride him like a cowboy? That was a bad expression. More like, I wanted to make him fuck me until the pain of my father passing disappeared.

  “Lily. You okay?”

  Was I okay? I could still feel my body giving off little aftershocks every so often he had me so aroused. “I’m not sure.” He surprised the shit out of me by reaching his hand over and sliding his fingers closer to my core. Thank fuck I had on leggings. Then he lightly squeezed my leg. Shit, the fabric was too thin. I was a goner if he moved his fingers just a fraction. “Julian, be careful, you’re playing with fire.”

  He softly chuckled. “That’s a game I plan to win.”

  My body was telling me to find a bed. My mind was saying, slow your roll.

  I reached for his hand. “I want you obviously.”

  “But?”

  Grabbing his hand, I brought it close to my mouth. “I would love to get to know you a little more. I know, boring.” I kissed each finger and inhaled the scent of arousal in the car.

  “Lily,” he whispered. “I will have you.”

  “I know,” I breathed.

  He cupped the side of my face and turned it toward him. “It’s not boring. It’s smart.” He brushed his thumb across my bottom lip. “What is it about you? I feel like I have had a constant erection since the moment I met you.”

  I threw my head back and laughed so loud it caused me to snort. Something that wasn’t glamorous about me. Placing my hand over my mouth, I tried to hide anymore snorts that could possibly appear.

  “Did you just snort?”

  “No,” I lied and continued to laugh.

  “Oh, my new life goal is to always make you laugh so hard you snort.”
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  I closed my eyes and placed my hands over my face. “Why does everyone find it so fun when I snort?”

  “We’ll record it sometime. It’s damn cute.” He grabbed his seatbelt and latched the two pieces together. “Now that my body is cooperating”—he clapped his hands together—“what’s for dinner?”

  This man was going to get the best of me.

  But I was ready for it all.

  10

  “We’re splitting the bill, right?” I asked over my menu. My eyes were continuously going back to the lobster fettuccini, but it was priced a little high for a first date.

  “Um, is there a right answer here?” he teased, placing his menu down in front of him.

  “Okay, we’ll split.”

  “Why did you ask?”

  “I want something, but I can wait and try it another time if you demand to pay.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Just be aware, I probably will demand to pay.”

  We were at a restaurant called Olives on the strip at Bellagio Casino and Hotel. The restaurant was owned by Chef Todd English. The man knew how make a pasta dish that could make a grown man cry. I knew this because his ravioli dish brought a tear to my father’s eyes several years back.

  The server appeared, holding his pad of paper. “Do you have any questions about the menu?”

  “I was just curious what your specials are tonight?” I asked, reaching for my water. The guy started in on all the specials, and there were a lot of them. When he mentioned the lobster ravioli, I knew that was the winning choice. The moment he finished, I spoke. “I’ll take the lobster ravioli.”

  “Is that what you originally wanted?” Julian asked.

  I knew he wanted me to get what caught my eye earlier. “Actually, the lobster fettuccini had me for a few minutes, then he mentioned the ravioli.”

  “Okay, because you deserve to get whatever you’re craving,” he said, winking. Then he let the server know he wanted the filet mignon with a baked potato and a side of steamed vegetables.

  “I bet you love not being on a special diet?” I teased.

  “More than you know.”

  “Do you miss it?”